Bomb squad clears suspicious packages in Crystal Lakes

Published: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 5:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 5:52 p.m.

Homeowners who found two packages on their front porch Thursday afternoon called 911 because the packages bore their address but not their names, were from an unknown foreign sender and were oozing red liquid.

Marion County Fire Rescue's HAZMAT team responded to the home, along with the Marion County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad. The packages were found to contain spray cans, bottles of liquid and pieces of machinery. According to MCFR Capt. Robert Ramage, the red liquid was battery protectant, and some of the other fluids were lubricants and gear oil.

Ramage said the packages were cardboard boxes sealed with duct tape. He said the two agencies first used electronic monitors and a robot to assess the boxes and there was no indication of flammables, radiation or toxicity.

A member of the bomb squad donned special clothing and X-rayed the boxes. When nothing hazardous was detected, the boxes were opened.

The sheriff's office contacted the shipping company, which had not knowledge or record of the delivery.

The home is located on Hickory Road in the Crystal Lakes Subdivision. While the two agencies were investigating, some residents were barred from entering the subdivision and the Lake Diamond Golf and Country Club.

Melissa Mosher, who lives in Crystal Lakes, said she was stopped by a deputy at around 4 p.m. and was told they were investigating a suspicious package. She said she saw the bomb squad go into the subdivision.

The subdivision has one road in and out.

Liz Thompson, who also lives in Crystal Lakes, said she was stopped at 4:10 p.m. and also was told that a suspicious package had been delivered to a residence and that the homeowner had called 911.

Thompson said a school bus stopped and some students got off and formed a single-file line and were walked into the subdivision behind a fire truck that was between them and the residence.

Officials later said 11 children were escorted home by four adults and three employees with MCFR.

A woman who did not want to give her name said the children were "very well protected."

All the roads were opened and people were returning to their homes about 5:30 p.m.

<p>Homeowners who found two packages on their front porch Thursday afternoon called 911 because the packages bore their address but not their names, were from an unknown foreign sender and were oozing red liquid.</p><p>Marion County Fire Rescue's HAZMAT team responded to the home, along with the Marion County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad. The packages were found to contain spray cans, bottles of liquid and pieces of machinery. According to MCFR Capt. Robert Ramage, the red liquid was battery protectant, and some of the other fluids were lubricants and gear oil.</p><p>Ramage said the packages were cardboard boxes sealed with duct tape. He said the two agencies first used electronic monitors and a robot to assess the boxes and there was no indication of flammables, radiation or toxicity.</p><p>A member of the bomb squad donned special clothing and X-rayed the boxes. When nothing hazardous was detected, the boxes were opened.</p><p>The sheriff's office contacted the shipping company, which had not knowledge or record of the delivery.</p><p>The home is located on Hickory Road in the Crystal Lakes Subdivision. While the two agencies were investigating, some residents were barred from entering the subdivision and the Lake Diamond Golf and Country Club.</p><p>Melissa Mosher, who lives in Crystal Lakes, said she was stopped by a deputy at around 4 p.m. and was told they were investigating a suspicious package. She said she saw the bomb squad go into the subdivision.</p><p>The subdivision has one road in and out.</p><p>Liz Thompson, who also lives in Crystal Lakes, said she was stopped at 4:10 p.m. and also was told that a suspicious package had been delivered to a residence and that the homeowner had called 911.</p><p>Thompson said a school bus stopped and some students got off and formed a single-file line and were walked into the subdivision behind a fire truck that was between them and the residence.</p><p>Officials later said 11 children were escorted home by four adults and three employees with MCFR.</p><p>A woman who did not want to give her name said the children were "very well protected."</p><p>All the roads were opened and people were returning to their homes about 5:30 p.m.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>